Euclid American Legion Post names 2013 Citizen of Year

American Legion Euclid Post 343 has named Karen Tomsic as its 2013 Citizen of the Year.
An annual tradition for about 50 years, those honored show commitment and dedication to the Euclid community.
According to information from legion members, Tomsic has been a longtime volunteer, beginning in her senior year of high school when she started volunteering for the American Red Cross.
Since then, she has been an integral part of the community’s Boy Scout troops, serving for more than 25 years as a den mother, cub master, merit badge counselor, commissioner of all the troops in Euclid and chairwoman of the parents committee for Troop 367.
Tomsic continues to work with Boy Scouts who have goals of becoming an Eagle Scout and is the parade marshal for the Memorial Day parade in Euclid.
Her passion for service does not stop with the Boy Scouts, as she also has dedicated time to the Euclid High School and Junior High School PTAs and Euclid Pet Pals as a volunteer auditor.
The 57-year Euclid resident also serves as secretary treasurer of SNPJ Lodge No. 5 and volunteers at Recher Hall and the Slovene Home for the Aged.
“Her lifelong passion for giving back to her community, and the contributions to the betterment of other people and their lives, makes her an outstanding citizen,” legion members said.
Citizen of the Year was selected by a panel that reviews nominations that were submitted for the award.
Members said the organization “wants to recognize and acknowledge those who make Euclid a better place,” and therefore honors those who go above and beyond to help the community.
Tomsic was awarded Citizen of the Year on Thursday and her husband, mother and youngest son spoke on her behalf at the ceremony.